The Chief Servant of Niger State, Governor Babangida Aliyu, has a way of warming himself into the minds of people especially from his home state where he has sustained his servant leadership dogmas with concerted efforts.

Once again, at the celebration of his birthday on Saturday, 12 November, 2011, when he clocked 56, he surprised his admirers when he jettisoned the idea of an elaborate celebration to devote his time to the issue of polio eradication in the state.

Some of his close aides had prepared to have him celebrate the birthday in such ostentatious manner but the Chief Servant, conscious of the challenges of the state, settled for devising ways of combating the dreaded polio. According to him, Niger was just responding to the dire need of the people in the area of polio eradication and general healthcare for the people.

As someone who also knows how to cultivate friendship from across socio-political divides, he also travelled out of Minna to pay homage to one of his colleagues, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was giving out his daughter in marriage on that day.

Having concluded the polio flag-off campaign and making sure that all the structures are fully accessed to jump-start the process of addressing once and for all the eradication of polio in the state, Aliyu headed for Delta State for Uduaghan’s daughter’s wedding.

The Chief Servant has been engaged in the act of mending old fences and building a strong political base for the good of the state. Even those in the opposition would concede that Aliyu has a strong reconciliatory power when it comes to making interventions in issues of Niger without fear or favour.

*Gov Aliyu Babangida

As a detribalized Nigerian who has seen through his political binoculars the depth of the nation’s politics, the Chief Servant understands what reconciliation means in building a strong platform to execute the set goals and objectives of his administration.

As part of the efforts to make government understandable, he has granted state pardon to those who were hitherto indicted by the Commission of Inquiry set up to properly understand the state of affairs of the government when he took over from his predecessor. He has also gone a step further by giving directive to the effect that outstanding severance allowances of all political office holders he appointed or elected be paid with immediate effect.

Despite the general air of financial insolvency in most states of the federation, how Aliyu is raising money to fulfill all these commitments remains surprising. But the Chief Servant has told Nigerlites that everyone must cut his coat according to his cloth and that the era of wastage was over, hence he has decidedly taken a bold step to ensure that a greater majority of the people enjoy dividends of democracy.

As part of his reconciliatory efforts, the Chief Servant has extended his hands of fellowship to the major political forces in the state, preaching peace and reconciliation as the only basis to attract development.

His birthday may have come and gone, but it did not pass without a thought about Nigeria from the Chief Servant. Talking about the national challenges in the midst of all competing interests in the country, the governor expressed worry over the insufficient funding given to agriculture which should ordinarily be the mainstay of the nation’s economy.

According to him, 30% budgetary allocation should go to the sector in order to boost the economy and provide jobs for the teeming youths.

While stressing the need for collaboration amongst governmental agencies to foster a sense of understanding amongst the people, he also called for the ban on imported rice so that the local production of rice could properly take off. Agriculture, according to the Chief Servant, is one sector that cannot be ignored in the present challenge of diversification of the economy and opening up the economy to withstand the shocks of development and globalization.

As a seasoned technocrat and civil servant par excellence, the governor has acquired enormous experience to manage people, time and resources. Little wonder that his intervention in the leadership of Niger has recorded monumental achievements. He has acquired all the relevant knowledge of building a system that is transparent and responsive to the needs of the people. His ability to carry out specific interventionistic initiatives has really endeared him to the people.

Birthdays are usually symbolic in various senses. It reminds one of several phases in life; growing up and maturing to adulthood through adolescence. For the Chief Servant, growing up has always been one interesting experience he would not forget in a hurry; those persons who had various influences on his life; those whose words of encouragement saw him breaking barriers and obstacles; and several others who nurtured his perspectives about life.

He continues to put together all these influences in the way and manner that he engages with the public. Little wonder that he feels at home in all parts of the country without this geopolitical consideration of North and South divide.

According to him, once you are a Nigerian, it should be so considered because the country is huge with diversities, but exists as one indivisible entity with common destiny and goal. As the Chief Servant celebrates his 56th year, here is wishing him all the very best in his present engagements and future endeavours.

* Musa Rabiu is based in Abuja and can be reached at mrabiu@yahoo.com